Method for increasing serotonin levels in a person by administration of a composition incorporating(-)hydroxycitric acid, and related compositions thereof

Abstract

A method for increasing serotonin levels in a person includes identifying a person having a deficient serotonin level and administering to the person a composition incorporating hydroxycitric acid, preferably in the form of an extract of Garcinia cambogia , in an amount sufficient to increase the person's serotonin levels. The method also can incorporate administering chromium, preferably in the form of oxygen-coordinated, niacin-bound chromium, and gymnemic acid, preferably in the form of an extract of Gymnema sylvestre , to synergistically work to further increase serotonin levels in the person.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method for increasing serotonin levels in a person, comprising: 
 identifying a person having or at risk for having deficient serotonin levels; and    administering to the person a composition comprising an amount of (−)-hydroxycitric acid effective to increase serotonin levels in the person.    
     
     
         2 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of administering comprises administering an amount of (−)-hydroxycitric acid effective to increase serotonin levels in the person sufficient to suppress the appetite of the person.  
     
     
         3 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of administering comprises administering an amount of (−)-hydroxycitric acid effective to increase serotonin levels sufficient to alleviate mood disorders in the person.  
     
     
         4 . A method as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the mood disorders include depression, anxiety, affective disorders, premenstrual dysphoria, insomnia, sleep-wake disturbances, binge eating, bulemia, and obsessive-compulsive disorders.  
     
     
         5 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of administering comprises administering an amount of (−)-hydroxycitric acid effective to increase serotonin levels in the person sufficient to increase energy expenditure by the person.  
     
     
         6 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of administering comprises administering an amount of (−)-hydroxycitric acid effective to increase serotonin levels in the person sufficient to promote decrease of body weight of the person.  
     
     
         7 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of administering comprises administering a composition comprising an extract of  Garcinia cambogia.    
     
     
         8 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of administering comprises administering between about 2,700 and about 2,800 mg of (−)-hydroxycitric acid per day.  
     
     
         9  A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of administering comprises administering the composition in three approximately equal increments per day.  
     
     
         10 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of administering comprises administering the composition between about 45 and about 60 minutes prior to consumption of a meal by the person.  
     
     
         11 . A method as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the step of administering comprises administering a composition comprising an amount of chromium sufficient, in combination with the amount of (−)-hydroxycitric acid, to increase serotonin levels in the person.  
     
     
         12 . A method as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the step of administering comprises administering a composition comprising niacin-bound chromium.  
     
     
         13 . A method as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the step of administering comprises administering a composition comprising oxygen-coordinated, niacin-bound chromium.  
     
     
         14 . A method as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the step of administering comprises administering about 400 mcg of chromium per day.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of administering comprises administering a composition comprising an amount of gymnemic acid sufficient, in combination with the amount of (−)-hydroxycitric acid, to increase serotonin levels in the person.  
     
     
         16 . A method as defined in  claim 15 , wherein the step of administering comprises administering a composition comprising an extract of  Gymnema sylvestre.    
     
     
         17 . A method as defined in  claim 15 , wherein the step of administering comprises administering about 100 mg of gymnemic acid per day.  
     
     
         18 . A composition comprising (−)-hydroxycitric acid, chromium, and gymnemic acid.  
     
     
         19 . A composition as defined in  claim 18 , comprising between about 900 and about 930 mg (−)-hydroxycitric acid, about 133 mcg chromium, and about 33 mg gymnemic acid.  
     
     
         20 . A composition as defined in  claim 18 , wherein the composition consists essentially of an extract of  Garcinia cambogia , an extract of  Gymnema sylvestre , and niacin-bound chromium.  
     
     
         21 . A composition as defined in  claim 20 , wherein the composition consists essentially of between about 1,500 and about 1,550 mg of the extract of  Garcinia cambogia , about 130 mg of the extract of  Gymnema sylvestre , and about 1.3 mg of the niacin-bound chromium.  
     
     
         22 . A composition as defined in  claim 18 , wherein the composition is in the form of a pill, tablet, capsule, powder, lozenge, or gum, or liquid.  
     
     
         23 . A composition as defined in  claim 18 , wherein the composition is in the form of a food or beverage.  
     
     
         24 . A composition as defined in  claim 23 , wherein the food is in the form of a food bar.  
     
     
         25 . A composition as defined in  claim 23 , wherein the beverage is in the form of a shake.